Young AFL Stars Re-sign

Carlton and Freo get deals done with some young stars.

A group of talented youngsters from Carlton and Fremantle have inked new deals that will keep them at their respective clubs for the immediate future.

Talented Blues duo Bryce Gibbs and Matthew Kreuzer have each extended to stay with Carlton while the lesser known Fremantle trio: Stephen Hill, Matt De Boer, and Lachie Neale, are also staying with the Dockers. Carlton are also beginning contract extensions with defender Chris Yarren to ensure he doesn’t leave the club for a more lucrative offer.

With contracts set to expire at the end of the 2012 season, and with a handful of clubs looking to spend their free agency dollars, both Freo and Carlton were eager to keep some of their future core pieces.

Alleged rumours suggest that Greater Western Sydney were looking hard at the 21-year-old Yarren with a contract that could surpass Carlton’s by $1 million. GWS has supposedly been in contact with Yarren’s management regarding his availability.

Hill, an electric but inconsistent runner, has inked a two-year extension that will keep him at Fremantle until the end of the 2015 season. De Boer, a member of the club’s leadership group, has also re-signed until 2015.

When on his game, Hill has proven to be a match winner. He is an incredible athlete with a ridiculous motor and good ball skills, but has the tendency to drop in and out of games, sometimes going stretches without doing much of anything. De Boer has become a valuable utility capable of the odd goal and what he lacks in skill and size, he makes up for with courage and heart.

Pint sized veteran of two games, Lachie Neale, will remain with the club until the end of 2014.